At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive new business development and shape strategies for financial services media campaigns.
- Company: Leading media buying agency specialising in political influence and reputation campaigns.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, uncapped commission, and opportunity to lead a new business vertical.
- Other info: Central London office with a small, expert team and no bureaucracy.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and make a real impact in the media landscape.
- Qualifications: 8+ years in media sales with a strong network in financial services.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 120000 € per year.
MessageSpace is the UK's leading specialist media buying agency for political influence and reputation campaigns. We connect brands with the decision-makers that traditional media agencies cannot reach: parliamentarians, regulators, senior civil servants, C-suite executives, and the advisers who shape policy and markets.
Our client roster includes some of the world's most recognised brands, from Airbnb and McDonald's to EDF, Lloyds, and Visa. We combine exclusive publisher relationships, proprietary Westminster audience research, and a programmatic trading desk with targeted out-of-home, video, and connected TV capabilities. The result is full-spectrum campaigns that demonstrably shift opinion among the audiences that matter most.
We are hiring a Business Director to take ownership of new business development and drive the next phase of MessageSpace's growth. This is a senior commercial role with a clear mandate: bring in new accounts and deepen our market presence in financial services media planning & buying.
You will report directly to the Managing Director and have the autonomy to shape your own pipeline, supported by an Account Manager and Account Executive. The role carries a competitive base salary with a generous, uncapped commission structure.
- Develop and execute a new business strategy that materially increases the number of key accounts across financial services.
- Leverage an established personal network of senior contacts to generate warm introductions and convert them into agency relationships.
- Build and present compelling, insight-led media proposals for B2B and B2G (business-to-government) campaigns spanning digital display, programmatic audio, OOH, print, video, and connected TV.
- Own the full commercial lifecycle from prospecting through to pitch, close, onboarding, and ongoing account growth.
- Meet and exceed quarterly and annual revenue targets for new business.
- Represent the agency at industry events, party conferences, parliamentary receptions, and networking opportunities where business is won.
The non-negotiable: you must have a minimum of 8 years' experience in media sales and/or media planning and buying, with a demonstrable track record of winning and managing significant client accounts. Equally important, you must bring an established, active network of senior industry contacts in financial services, people you can pick up the phone to and generate real opportunities.
Strong understanding of B2B, B2G, and brand campaign strategies, and how media buying fits within a broader influence or public affairs programme.
Track record of successful business development with evidence of pipeline generation, conversion, and account growth.
Strategic thinker with an entrepreneurial mindset and sharp commercial acumen.
Direct experience advising or selling to clients in financial services (asset management, banking, insurance, fintech).
Deep knowledge of the UK media landscape, including national newspapers, specialist political and financial publishers, and the growing role of partisan and digital-first outlets.
Understanding of programmatic advertising, data-driven audience targeting, and how these complement traditional media buying.
Experience operating in or alongside the EU policy landscape.
Competitive base salary plus a generous, uncapped performance-based commission structure delivering total on-target earnings in excess of £100,000 for the right candidate.
Opportunity to build and lead a new business vertical with significant growth potential inside a profitable, well-established agency.
Direct line to the Managing Director and a seat at the table in shaping the agency's commercial strategy.
A platform to work with premium media environments: national newspapers, Politico, the Financial Times, The Spectator, New Statesman, PoliticsHome, and many more.
A small, expert team (no bureaucracy, no committees) with deep domain knowledge in political and financial audience targeting.
Central London office in Victoria, SW1.
We are particularly interested in hearing about specific examples of business you have originated and relationships you have built in financial services or public affairs.
FTC- Digital Business Director in London employer: MessageSpace
MessageSpace is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of Central London. With a focus on employee growth and autonomy, the role of Digital Business Director provides the opportunity to shape your own pipeline and drive significant business development within a supportive, expert team. The competitive salary and uncapped commission structure, combined with the chance to work with prestigious clients and media environments, make MessageSpace a rewarding place for ambitious professionals seeking to make a meaningful impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land FTC- Digital Business Director in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Use your existing connections in the financial services sector to get warm introductions. Remember, it's all about who you know, so don’t be shy about reaching out and letting them know you're on the lookout for new opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Get ready to showcase your skills! Prepare a killer pitch that highlights your experience in media sales and your understanding of B2B and B2G strategies. Tailor your proposals to show how you can drive growth for potential clients—make it personal and relevant!
✨Tip Number 3
Stay active in industry events! Attend conferences, receptions, and networking opportunities where decision-makers hang out. This is your chance to make a lasting impression and build relationships that could lead to new business.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We want to see your relevant experience and the network you bring to the table. Make sure to highlight specific examples of business you've originated in financial services or public affairs—show us what you've got!
We think you need these skills to ace FTC- Digital Business Director in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Business Director role. Highlight your experience in media sales and your established network in financial services. We want to see how your background aligns with what we’re looking for!
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; share specific examples of business you’ve originated and relationships you’ve built. We love numbers, so if you can quantify your success, even better! It helps us see the impact you've made.
Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through in your application. We’re looking for someone with an entrepreneurial mindset and sharp commercial acumen, so don’t be afraid to show us who you are and why you’re passionate about this opportunity!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures it gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at MessageSpace!
How to prepare for a job interview at MessageSpace
✨Know Your Audience
Before the interview, do your homework on MessageSpace and its client roster. Understand their approach to media buying and how they connect brands with decision-makers. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Leverage Your Network
Since this role requires an established network in financial services, be prepared to discuss specific contacts you can bring to the table. Highlight any warm introductions you've made in the past and how those relationships could benefit MessageSpace.
✨Showcase Your Success Stories
Come armed with examples of your previous business development successes. Discuss how you generated pipelines, converted leads, and grew accounts. Use metrics to back up your claims, as numbers speak volumes in a commercial role.
✨Demonstrate Strategic Thinking
Prepare to discuss your strategic approach to media planning and buying. Think about how you would develop and execute a new business strategy for MessageSpace. Show them that you have the entrepreneurial mindset and commercial acumen they’re looking for.
